Cape Colony, NC Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cape Colony, Chowan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cape Colony?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 41 days in the Chowan forecast zone and Chowan County — the most common reported hazard around Cape Colony, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (26 days) and hurricanes & tropical storms (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 41 | Jun 2026 | May 11, 1996 · $400,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Feb 2026 | Feb 19, 2025 · $1,000 damage |
| Hurricanes & tropical storms | 17 | Sep 2023 | Sep 18, 2003 · 1 death · $7.6 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Jul 2025 | Jul 28, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2024 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Apr 2020 | Oct 8, 2016 · $75,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Apr 2021 | Oct 8, 2016 · $500,000 damage |
| Coastal flooding | 3 | Aug 2020 | — |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Chowan forecast zone and Chowan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cape Colony get?
A normal year brings about 2.3 inches of snow to Cape Colony, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Edenton weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Cape Colony?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 71 miles north-northwest. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Cape Colony | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAKQ Wakefield, VA | 71 mi north-northwest | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMHX Morehead City, NC | 88 mi south | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRAX Raleigh/Durham, NC | 110 mi west-southwest | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Cape Colony
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 79 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cape Colony, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which passed about 19 miles northwest of town and caused 12 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 5, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 87 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 9, 2003.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Cape Colony's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Cape Colony radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cape Colony, NC?
KAKQ (Wakefield, VA), about 71 miles north-northwest. KMHX (Morehead City, NC) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cape Colony?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cape Colony the lowest scan from KAKQ is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cape Colony free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Cape Colony, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Edenton, NC radar 3 mi
- Hertford, NC radar 13 mi
- Plymouth, NC radar 14 mi
- Windsor, NC radar 20 mi
- Elizabeth City, NC radar 27 mi
- Ahoskie, NC radar 29 mi
- Williamston, NC radar 30 mi
- Belhaven, NC radar 33 mi
- Robersonville, NC radar 40 mi
- Murfreesboro, NC radar 41 mi